Kurt Cobain’s Suicide Note

1. Kurt Cobain’s Suicide Note By: Steven Carson 4th Block, Honors English II, April 9th, 2013

2. Background • Kurt Donald Cobain was born February 20th, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington. Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician and artist, best known as the lead singer, guitarist and primary songwriter of the grunge band Nirvana. • He died on April 5th, 1994, but his body wasn’t found until April 8th, 1994. • His suicide note was written, April 5th, 1994. Many things contributed to his taking of his own life, mainly including manic depression, a chronic stomach illness, and being numb from everything in life. • He was married to Courtney Michelle Love, who was the lead singer for the post-punk band Hole. They had one daughter, Frances Bean Cobain who was born August 18th, 1992 • Interesting Fact: Kurt is known for saying"I’d rather die than divorce.” Interesting since many people thought Kurt and Courtney where heading for divorce, before he killed himself.

3. Video Of The Speech • There is a video of Courtney reading the note to a group of people, but it was quite vulgar and hard to understand because Courtney was sobbing for the majority of it, therefore I decided not to show it.

4. SOAPSTone: Subject • Subject: Essentially the subject of Kurt’s suicide note, is to explain himself, and why he was taking the action he was. Also, to give a little insight on what was going on in Kurt’s head and shed a little light on himself and his life.

5. SOAPSTone: Occasion • Occasion: The occasion is the day of Kurt’s death, which was April 5, 1994. Kurt had been known to be a depressive person but ever since Kurt married Courtney and had Frances, he at least seemed to of been feeling better and in a good mood. Therefore, when the world found out, a lot of people were shocked.

6. SOAPSTone: Audience • Audience: The audience would definitely be Courtney and Frances because at the end he says, “Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your alter. Please keep going Courtney, for Frances. For her life which will be so much happier without me. I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!” • The majority of the note though was to his fans and all of the people who were moved and changed by his music because, he was explaining why he was taking his life so that no one would be upset with him.

7. SOAPSTone: Purpose • Purpose: The purpose of the note is to give reasoning behind his suicide, so that people didn’t have to go on without a reasoning behind it. Also, to give direction for Courtney, because when Courtney found out, she was devastated, and didn’t know what to do anymore. Lastly, to tell Frances that her life was going to be a million times better, without him in it.

8. SOAPSTone: Speaker • Speaker: Although it was never read aloud, Kurt would be the speaker because it was intended to be read as if he was speaking to you. • Also, this was Kurt’s farewell address, so to speak, so this would also qualify him as the speaker.

9. SOAPSTone: Tone • Tone: The tone is explanatory, apologetic and for some people quite depressing. • Explanatory because Kurt was explaining his situation and the he was deciding to end his life • Apologetic because he was apologizing to his fans that looked up to him, and to Frances because he wasn’t going to be there for her anymore

10. Analysis: Paraphrase • “I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music along with reading and writing for too many years now. I feel guilty beyond words about these things.” • Kurt is telling us one of the possible reasons for his suicide. He’s saying he hasn’t felt the excitement of making music, which is supposed to be a given with a musician, therefore, he feels bad because he’s lying to his fans by saying he loves the music

11. Analysis: Paraphrase • “I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people. I must be one of those narcissists who only appreciate things when they're gone. I'm too sensitive. I need to be slightly numb in order to regain the enthusiasms I once had as a child.” • Here Kurt is saying that it’s not that he doesn’t appreciate people coming out to hear them and adoring his music, but he’s saying that all the depression and self loathing; it’s all within himself. Also, he’s saying that he feels he’s somehow changed from what he once was as a child.

12. Major Premise • “I have it good, very good, and I'm grateful, but since the age of seven, I've become hateful towards all humans in general.” • “Thank you all from the pit of my burning, nauseous stomach for your letters and concern during the past years.” • These two lines, I believe what Kurt was trying to say in the note. That he’s very grateful for everyone, but since a young age, he’s just pitted up all of this hate for humanity that he can’t fathom actually feeling happy anymore.

13. Ethos • Ethos/Ethical Appeal: “For example when we're back stage and the lights go out and the manic roar of the crowds begins., it doesn't affect me the way in which it did for Freddie Mercury, who seemed to love, relish in the love and adoration from the crowd which is something I totally admire and envy.” • In this quote, Kurt uses his ethical appeal in comparing himself to Freddie Mercury, which shows how big of a rock star he was and how he is important in the world of music. • “I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people.” • Kurt is acknowledging the fact that he has impacted a lot of people in many different ways

14. Pathos • Pathos/Emotional Appeal: “Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your alter. Please keep going Courtney, for Frances. For her life which will be so much happier without me. I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!” • This is emotional appeal because this is one of the only parts of the note, much less his life, that he showed a compassionate side. He was talking directly to Frances and Courtney and it ripped at their, and a lot of people’s hearts.

15. Logos • Logos/Common Sense: “I have it good, very good, and I'm grateful, but since the age of seven, I've become hateful towards all humans in general.” • This is logos, because Kurt was explaining that he was grateful but he was just too bitter to go on. Thus, appealing to the common sense of people so they would know what it was he was trying to get across.

16. Literary Techniques • Kurt uses the literary technique, Repetition in two ways: • He repeats the word empathy multiple times. • “and as fans of our music, but I still can't get over the frustration, the guilt and empathy I Have for everyone” • “I have a goddess of a wife who sweats ambition and empathy and a daughter who reminds me too much of what i used to be, full of love and joy, kissing every person she meets because everyone is good and will do her no harm.” • “Only because it seems so easy for people to get along that have empathy.” • “Peace, love, empathy.Kurt Cobain” • By repeating the word empathy, Kurt gets the point across that he feels others pain, and at times, it’s a little too much for him too handle.

17. Repetition • The other way Kurt uses repetition is in the way each paragraph is structured. He will have something important in his life or that is going on in his life that is troubling him, and then he’ll explain why and how this contributes to his overall purpose of his actions.

18. Famous Quote

19. Paraphrasing/Meaning • “I have a goddess of a wife who sweats ambition and empathy and a daughter who reminds me too much of what i used to be, full of love and joy, kissing every person she meets because everyone is good and will do her no harm. And that terrifies me to the point to where I can barely function.” • Essentially, Kurt is saying that he has a wonderful family and he loves them both. But, the way Frances can be so open to everyone and everything terrifies Kurt because he had such a rough childhood and life that as a child, he had to shut everyone out, because everyone, he felt, wanted to hurt him, so it reminds him all too well of himself

20. Paraphrasing/Meaning • “Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your alter.Please keep going Courtney, for Frances.For her life which will be so much happier without me.” • In saying this at the end of the note, Kurt was assuming that since Kurt was gone, Courtney would remarry and that Frances would eventually get married as well, so he just wanted to say that he’d be there with them when the time came. The last line, however, is aimed at Frances and, to me, it means that Kurt thought he was an awful dad because the press would never leave them alone, so with Kurt gone, he hoped that press would eventually leave Frances alone, and she could live a normal life, which, in theory, would be a happier one.

21. Powerful/Favorite Lines • “Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your alter.Please keep going Courtney, for Frances.For her life which will be so much happier without me.” • “Only because it seems so easy for people to get along that have empathy.” • “I have it good, very good, and I'm grateful, but since the age of seven, I've become hateful towards all humans in general.”

22. Literary Techniques • “When we're back stage and the lights go out and the manic roar of the crowds begins;it doesn't affect me the way in which it did for Freddie Mercury, who seemed to love, relish in the love and adoration from the crowd” • Kurt uses a metaphor here to contrast himself and Freddie Mercury.

23. Literary Techniques • “The worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I'm having 100% fun. Sometimes I feel as if I should have a punch-in time clock before I walk out on stage.” • Kurt is comparing going out on stage, to having a boring job where you have to punch in and punch out.

24. To Follow… • There is a memorial park in Aberdeen, Washington to commemorate Kurt and his legacy. • Kurt’s band mate, Dave Grohl, went on to form the critically acclaimed band, Foo Fighters • Kurt is remembered to this day as one of the most influential rock stars in our generation • At the EMP museum in Seattle, Washington, there is an extensive Nirvana exhibit. • In 2006, the superb documentary “Kurt Cobain: About A Son” was released. • In 2012, Kurt was named the 73rd greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.

25. Questions?